Medical research is a central part of the mission at the Quillen College of Medicine. Our scientists study the biological foundations of medical and psychiatric disorders that affect the quality of life in our region and beyond. Faculty, staff and students are actively engaged in research to develop new treatments and potential cures for a wide range of diseases. Areas of focus include disorders affecting the cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems, including the brain.
Another often overlooked yet critically important aspect of research at Quillen is its contribution to the education of our students. Through exposure to and engagement in our research programs, students (undergraduate, graduate, and medical students) develop their critical thinking skills, improve their ability to communicate scientific information, build self-confidence, and learn to question “medical dogma”. These important skills help them become better health professionals.
Congratulations to the Recipient of the 2025 Quillen Research Enhancement Grant Award!
Alex Hopke, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Project Title: The characterization of neutrophil swarming responses to fungal pathogens in diabetes
Proposed Research Project: In this proposal, we will test the hypothesis that fungal hyphae are uniquely susceptible to neutrophil swarming and that defects in swarming responses in diabetic patients contribute to their susceptibility to fungal infections, like those that cause mucormycosis. Invasive infections caused by fungi are a serious public health threat in immune-compromised patients, including those with diabetes. By characterizing the immune responses necessary to control fungi and how they are compromised during diseases like diabetes, we expect to highlight targets for the development of novel therapies to protect these and possibly other at-risk patient populations.
Award Amount: $25,000
ETSU Research Facilities
Seminars
College of Arts & Sciences/College of Public Health